Arizona Wildcats basketball: Solomon Hill, Grant Jerrett shining in practice

The Arizona Wildcats are now two weeks into practice and have their first exhibition game of the season next Wednesday. As coach Sean Miller continues to evaluate his very deep and talented roster, two players have really begun to emerge: Solomon Hill and Grant Jerrett.

Hill, who some are picking to win Conference Player of the Year, has started a majority of his games with the Wildcats. After bulking up to play the four last season, he has worked diligently in the offseason to trim down as he transitions back to his customary wing spot.

Here is the latest from UA's head coach, courtesy of Bruce Pascoe of the Arizona Daily Star.

"Watching Solomon now, he's focused, he's better, he's ready, he's hungry to leave a winner and words can only do so much. It's actions that are more powerful. How Solomon has approached every drill, every day is really inspiring for our team. I'm proud of the way he's established his attitude early on."

Jerrett, a five-star freshmen, displayed a great inside-outside touch at the Red-Blue Game and led both teams with nine rebounds. Miller also paid Jerrett a serious compliment with a Derrick Williams comparison.

"Grant, his greatest gift, and he reminds me of Derrick Williams (in this), is that he has no external expectations," Miller said. "When we talk to him you never have to remind him that he's still in college, that this is his role, to preach `team' because you worry about him thinking about other things."

As for who will likely start Wednesday's preseason game with Humboldt State, it seems likely that Hill and Jerrett start. Mark Lyons and Nick Johnson will also likely start given their experience. That leaves one spot in the paint, likely for Brandon Ashley, Angelo Chol or Kaleb Tarczewski.